National Farmers' Market Week Celebrated in Park Heights

It's National Farmers' Market Week and U.S. Department of Agriculture Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services stopped by the market at Pimlico in Park Heights.

He stressed the importance of eating healthy and also said people can use SNAP benefits to buy fresh fruits and vegetables.

"On average, about 20 cents of every SNAP dollar spent on food ends up in the pockets of American farmers. Allowing families in need to buy food directly from local farmers provides a boost to local economies," said Kevin Concannon, U.S. Department of Agriculture Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services. "America's farmers offer a bounty of fresh fruits and vegetables that are the foundation of a healthy diet, and USDA has made it a priority to improve direct access between farmers and SNAP participants over the past several years. Healthy eating reduces health risks later in life, which helps reduce our nation's health costs over the long run. This new data shows that these efforts are working to provide farmers with a larger customer base and to provide families who use SNAP with more options to buy healthy food."

There are more than 20 farmers' markets in Baltimore City and more than 150 across the state of Maryland.

"It's a great way to get fresh fruits and vegetables to this community who otherwise might not get them," said Donald Burton of Greenwood Farms in Glen Arm.

The Park Heights market runs every Wednesday from 9:30 AM until 2:30 PM.